Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between workload and fatigue, to prevent
the fatigue in order to improve the patient safety in shift nursing. The study population comprised 29 nurses
working in the medical ward of a private general hospital (participated in DPC, 2004). The survey items were
as follows: number of steps per minute, number of conflict occurrences and task interruptions, subjective degree
of busyness, and subjective symptoms of fatigue. The study results indicated that physical workload in the
day shift, frequent irregular tasks along with physical workload in the early night shift, and mental workload
and disturbances in the circadian rhythm in the late-night shift were the predominant causes of fatigue. In conclusion,
the workload characteristics, busyness, and fatigue levels were different for each shift. Therefore, it is
necessary to undertake measures to prevent fatigue during the shifts to help improve patient care and safety.
